When we moved from Ontario to Vermont, I brought with me a little box of Remembrance Day poppies that we'd collected over the years.On Remembrance Day (Veterans' Day) I wear one, as I did from the very beginning, decades ago, when we used to receive them in school. Back in the "old days," the poppies were made of red felt and had a round, black felt centre. The one in the photo here is one of the more contemporary ones, though it is at least thirteen years old because, that's how long we've been in Vermont.
Growing up in Canada, I got so used to seeing the poppies worn before and on Remembrance Day. It seemed that just about everyone wore one and for me, it was a little strange not seeing them here, but I still wear one on November 11th. And 365 days a year, there is a poppy pinned above the windshield of my vehicle. My husband does the same thing. We also keep one pinned up and visible in the house all the time. I had one uncle, who served in WW2, in the RCAF. My late Uncle Paul was a navigator and served out of England. My late father-in-law served in the Canadian Army and saw action in Italy, Sicily, North Africa, France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
War is a hellish evil and, perhaps...some day...wars will be distant memories for all the peoples of Earth, but in the meantime, let us not forget those who survived the hells and those who fell.
Rose ;-)
This is a sweet and timely entry.
ReplyDeleteI remember in Princeton, New Jersey...in the '50's when the old men from WWI actually, would sell the red paper poppies...for 5 cents. I always associated the red poppies with Flanders Fields....for some reason. Poppies I guess originated in WWI.
Down here in the south, I haven't seen a poppy in 40 years. They do close the banks, but this country down here isn't the same as up there.
I remember the tank that would come down Nassau Street in Princetion, roaring like a huge metal dragon and turning it's turret around with that gun projecting from it. I remember screaming and hiding from the monster. Afterwards, the street was torn up and they stopped having 'the tank'. But they still had a band, marching soldiers and those poppies. I remember my mother crying.
This Veterns Day is the last before my 22 year old son will join the Navy and go to the Great Lakes Region, near Canada I understand for boot camp.
It has a particular poignacy for me, again.
I hope our war ends...and Obama does what he promised.
No more troops to the bloodbath. Especially my son.
Lady Nyo (who is Mom and Jane)
A wonderfully written piece. I had forgotten that they once sold poppies and that I had actually bought them in support of our veterans.
ReplyDeleteHi Auntie,
ReplyDeleteWe had a 'good' time being able to watch the ceremony from the University again this year. Luke is getting to understand why it is important to celebrate this. He has also been learning about Rememberance Day in school, and I hope that we can go to the ceremony next year. I'm sure he'll be able to sit still long enough. Timmy....not so much.
Miss you, loveya,
K the older
Hi, Kathy (K the older),
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog. So glad you dropped in. Good to hear that Luke's learning about Remembrance Day in school. Hope you enjoy my posts.
Hugs,
Auntie Rosie
PS: Love your little ID photo